GoingforGoal

Hello Neka, Pink is correct and I'll try to add some thoughts. When you have surgery they put CO2 gas into your abdomen to expand the area so the doctors can visualize and manipulate your organs safely. Although they do remove the gas, there will be residual gas left in the abdomen cavity. This will rise (it is gas afterall) into your chest cavity causing a great deal of discomfort. Some people use heating pads for some relief. Some other things to do: stay on top of your pain meds to assist you with this discomfort, continue to breath deeply even if it causes pain (we are all at risk for things like pneumonia after surgery and so we have to address those issues along with pain management), and stay mobile. The more you move the more blood flow the quicker your body can eliminate the gas through reabsorption. As for filling full with liquids. Yep, welcome to bandland. Right now you are in an acute phase after surgery where there is inflammation at the site of the band. This is causing a sensation of restriction. Hopefully this is what you'll feel as you get fills and try to achieve 'green'. You will see varied experiences from other bandsters who say they feel no restriction and those who can't get their daily allotment of cals or fluids in. There's many reasons for this as well 1) some docs fill the band during surgery with up to 3cc of fluid some do not put any in leaving their patients at 0cc to start, 2) our anatomy is different. Some of our esophogus' are wider than others so the band is not a one size fit all gadget after all , 3) different bands, different surgical techniques, excessive manipulation, additional surgical revisions (ie hernia) blah blah can all have a slight effect on what we sense post op. What you are feeling is normal. Focus on the resistance and learning to eat/drink to the band's comfort. Don't force fluids if you feel restriction. Reduce volume to sips if need be. As inflammation goes down you'll feel less restriction and more capable of drinking/eating with ease. Hopefully this carries you into mushies because others are postop day 2 and feeling wide open and starved. Good luck hon

Hello logging is a great way to get intimate with what is actually going in your body and understanding how your body reacts to it. Your log can be as simplex or complicated as you want. Think of it as a science experiment if you will. If you simply want to see how many calories you should take in for optimal weight loss...record your foods (their calories) and any calories you burned from exercise (deduct from calories taken in). Than record your weight daily (same time- I recommend naked in the a.m. before eating/drinking). Follow the trend. If you are eating 1500 calories and you are gaining. Scale back 100 cals. Any improvements? If you are losing stay at that range. If you are not, scale back on your cals until you start losing consistently. 0.2 lb/day is the standard. The opposite can be done as well. Let's say you workout everyday and you are only taking in 800 cals. Perhaps you are taking in too little. Add 100 cals until you see wl. Do NOT make huge changes or inconsistent changes. For example, don't go from 1500 to 1000. That alone can put you into a plateau and that's not a fair representation of what your body would do with a calorie reduction. Also, your log is only as reliable as you are consistent. So if you workout every day, keep it up. If your target is 1000 cals than eat as close to that as possible. +- 100 calories can really effect the outcome. Mind you, you will need to readjust everytime something changes (working out more/less for example). I hope this helps

Because we are always advised by our docs/nutritionists differently. Additionally, there is a huge gap between how many cals one person takes in on average vs the next bandster. Many factors contribute to this (exercise level, age/metabolism etc). So people will bawk at how little or how much other people consume because it conflicts with either what they were told or what they do

FYI Eating out is something we all struggle with. To overcome eating the wrong foods OR assuming the healthy "sounding" foods are better choices, I elect to go on my cellphone and look up the nutrition menus for each of the restaurants I visit. It allows me to preselect my meal within the target calorie range I wish to consume. It's also an awesome way to guilt you out of eating wrong foods when you are floored by how many cals are actually in it. Muffins (no matter how they are made or what's in it are terrible for you..put that on your no no list). Anyway, this is taking a proactive approach to eating. Not only does it help you make true healthy choices, but it's an education onto itself by getting acquainted with how many calories are in the meals/sides etc you would normally eat.

I wanted to add that early on in the banding process I too would feel no hunger. But that has changed. I am 3.5 yrs out and in 'green' but I feel hungry more readily than I did before. Everyone is different of course but I think in time most adjust/adapt. Some people have had to set reminders for themselves to eat every 3-4 hrs. Ensuring adequate nutrition is your responsibility. You are a new bandster so realize things will change with time and you'll get the hang of eating protein rich foods. I highly recommend keeping a log and getting figuring out what your ideal calorie target is. If it's 800 for example, than start finding foods that'll get you to 800 without feeling bloated/stuffed. Calorie input/targets are very controversial on this forum. Some gasp at those in the low digits (<1000) and others who exercise consistently are in higher digits (1200+). But the fundamentals like min 60g protein is essential for everyone

Woah, sorry for the small font..I reposted in larger font: Hello. All of us struggled with the what ifs prior to getting banded. It's all very new and it's hard to grasp it all until you are finally banded. B52 is correct. You will go through transitions after being banded. Fastforward past the postop healing phase and to your first fill, you will begin to understand how the band helps with portion control. Initially you will eat super healthy, emphasis on Protein, low fat etc. You will maintain this until fill 2, 3, 4? until you reach green because you don't want to sabotage your wl you already achieved. When you get to green, you will have to experiment with your foods and relearn your band (as you do after each fill) and figure which foods are problematic and which are not. From there, you get creative. You experiment with new foods, new meals. You become much better at estimating cals, portions etc. You are forming solid healthy habits. Now is when you understand that having an icecream today is ok... or maybe today I will eat out and enjoy something I use to love (but don't be surprised if you leave 80% of it on your plate lol). If you are motivated by your wl and protective of that success you'll balance those occasional 'cheats' with your healthy habits and 1) not sabotage yourself and 2) feel satisfied. I am near 4 years out. The only things I don't eat is Pasta, rice and bread because those are no-nos for me, but I don't miss them. Everything else like high cals meals, treats etc I have on occasion (once a week?) and I feel completely satiated because I don't feel like I'm craving or restricting myself. The band is such a tremendous tool if used properly.

Hello. All of us struggled with the what ifs prior to getting banded. It's all very new and it's hard to grasp it all until you are finally banded. B52 is correct. You will go through transitions after being banded. Fastforward past the postop healing phase and to your first fill, you will begin to understand how the band helps with portion control. Initially you will eat super healthy, emphasis on protein, low fat etc. You will maintain this until fill 2, 3, 4? until you reach green because you don't want to sabotage your wl you already achieved. When you get to green, you will have to experiment with your foods and relearn your band (as you do after each fill) and figure which foods are problematic and which are not. From there, you get creative. You experiment with new foods, new meals. You become much better at estimating cals, portions etc. You are forming solid healthy habits. Now is when you understand that having an icecream today is ok... or maybe today I will eat out and enjoy something I use to love (but don't be surprised if you leave 80% of it on your plate lol). If you are motivated by your wl and protective of that success you'll balance those occasional 'cheats' with your healthy habits and 1) not sabotage yourself and 2) feel satisfied. I am near 4 years out. The only things I don't eat is pasta, rice and bread because those are no-nos for me, but I don't miss them. Everything else like high cals meals, treats etc I have on occasion (once a week?) and I feel completely satiated because I don't feel like I'm craving or restricting myself. The band is such a tremendous tool if used properly.

I guess I'd have to ask if you told your best friend to keep it private? However, I agree with Mis73 that we always share things w/ out S.Os. Not out of spite, but because it's new information and sometimes we share to sort out our own feelings/opinions on the matter and you do that by bouncing it off the S.O. He seems positive and supportive so don't see this as a negative experience. Rather it is a learning experience that word travels. If you are not prepared to be open to anyone than it's time to stop sharing. This is more about you and your comfort with revealing your plans. If you do share, be adamant with them that you wish for this to be private and not shared with others, discussed openly (like on fb or in a group setting) etc.

A 20 pound difference? That's way too much. Typically scales deviate from home/doctors because at home we weight first thing in the morning before eating, are naked etc and at the docs we probably had a meal or two, are fully clothed etc. But the difference it usually within 6 pounds not 20..thats way too much unless you have a winter coat, sweater, jeans and some boots on while weighing (lol). What I would do (if you have access to one) is take something like a 10, 20 + pound dumbbell (or anything that you know the exact weight of) and place it on your home scale. Ensure it's reading that weight. If not, simply add or deduct the difference. As for zeroing your scale, you can search online for the made/model of your scale and most user guides are now online.

Here's the possibilities: 1) You hit a plateau. Rapid weight loss or drastic reduction of calories shocks the system. The body does not want to starve, so it will go into a plateau (ie holds onto your fat as backup energy supply). There are ways to cycle out of a plateau, ie having a cheat day or two. This extra calorie input tricks the body into believing you are indeed not starving and will be inclined to let go of the fat. But you must exercise control and go back into your diet afterwards. 2) Calorie Input vs Energy output. Can't tell through your post if you made any mods to your calories when you started working out. You sound like you have a pretty consistent and intense workout plan. This requires additional calories. Again, burn too many calories and the body will do the opposite you desire (plateau). Log your foods and approzimate caloric burn from working out. Ensure you are getting adequate cals post workouts to not sabotage all your efforts. 3) And than yes, there is indeed the muscle vs fat issue. As you workout you build lean muscle. So you could indeed lose fat weight but the added muscle weights nulls that and cannot be appreciated on the scale. Best way to check that is..measurements. You need to look for other ways of measuring yoru success (ie clothes size, measurement changes and just overall appearance/improvements). Otherwise you feel defeated and that has a negative impact on your desire tocontinue your efforts. Hope this helps.

Happy Banniversary and great job

Yeah, congrats. Here's to a speedy recovery. Welcome to bandland!

Once labs/studies are done it's all a matter of your doctor's availability to do the surgery. Some docs are a few weeks out some maybe a month or so. But not too long, so hurry up and get those tests!

Your story holds commonalities with all us bandsters. Whether we struggled with weight since childhood, or had life beat us into emotional eating, or we simply didn't pay attention as they pounds poured on..we've all been there. The desire to change and lead a healthier life is also something else we all have in common. We are here to support you. Success is achieved through one pound at a time. Revel in each pound lost and you will reach goal!

Step 1: Take Orea out of box, Step 2: Take meat cleaver out of drawer, Step 3: Pound said orea w/ meat cleaver and scream "damn you orea, damn you" repeatedly

Looking fab, keep smiling

Ivy and Jackie are both correct but you wont know for sure until you go in for an assessment. Mis is also right that we cannot assume all our symptoms are band related. You will still get colds, flus, viruses or you can develop new conditions...again, none related to the band.

Well there's plenty of us who have fallen off the wagon. Pregnancy, medical issues, injuries and yes laziness too. I'm one of those due to pregnancy and an accident and was off my diet for 18months. Fortunately I maintained because I kept my band in green despite my poor food choices (I do NOT do stress and diet at the same time..this is hard wired in me lol). Sooooo..January I had recovered enough and was ready to start my diet efforts again. I thought it was going to be super hard but I think when the mental switch and determination clicks on it's go time and it's easier. I was 195 in Jan, I am now 152 at goal. So here's my tricks and a reality check. 1) I took pics and measurements prior to surgery. First thing I did was take new pics and measurements and compared them. This was the first time in 3 years I did this while on the band and it shocked the heck out of me. All of a sudden I felt thin and empowered..hey if it works, right?! Point is, remember your progress and start fresh as if you never stopped. 2) Go easy on yourself. I don't know if this is an age thing or not, but when I was younger I use to put so much pressure on myself. I HAD to lose 8lb/week because that was the average right? I HAD to eat perfectly because that one cupcake meant I wasn't eating perfectly and thus failed myself etc etc. I have changed that attitude around 100%. First, I set stupid easy goals. Like 20 lbs in 6 months. Crazy I know, but guess what?!?!?! I meet that goal every time PLUS SOME. Here's what happens when you do that. One, you allow yourself to be more lax with your diet. Not crazy eating, but rather, a cheat meal a week or a bite of something you crave and you already know it's not going to ruin your 20 lb in 6 month goal. I soon learned that the less stress I put on myself the more compliant I was and 'cheats' occurred less and less. Perhaps because I also allotted a transitional time where I didn't just go cold turkey nor did I deprive myself completely so I felt completely satisfied. Now reality check time 1) codependence will get you nowhere. My husband was banded same time as me. I am going strong and he fell off his wagon. Super long story involved here, but the moral of the story is that only I can be accountable for my happiness and wl. His cheating etc cannot dictate my behavior-period. When you don't allow someone elses behaviors to dictate yours it no longer holds you back. That is a mentality shift. Sure it's easier, but it's NOT necessary. I too am married, with 3 kids, when I work as a nurse there's food temptations every shift etc. But it's self control that gets you through it. 2) You also need to journal your foods/calories etc. The reality is you need to find your 'green' spot here too. Some people can eat 1200 cals and lose others are reduced to 1000 etc. You need to find out what your ideal caloric intake is for your exercise output. That is a hard # (+- 100 cals) that you needs to adhere to. If you want to eat more, you need to work out more etc If you don't want to work out, you eat less. Period. But most importantly, you need to keep the band in green. Don't abuse it and try to eat around it. Get back on here, get support. I m on here daily just as a physical and mental reminder that I am doing this thing!!! lol

Go on girl! I love progress pics I'm gonna do one this weekend. You look great

No I would not say calories last. Otherwise you could eat chicken wings, peanut butter sandwiches and fried fish to get your protein in as long as it's 1/2-1 cup. Calorie intake needs is directly correlated to how active you are or are not. You need to determine how active you are, log your foods/cals/protein and play with the numbers until you find your 'green' zone. Every person has their own zone so what is good for me will not work for you.

I'm fortunate that my husband and I were banded at the same time and are undergoing this journey together. However, if he were not banded here are the top things I would be concerned about: 1) someone going on a diet in the household is always a stressor as it often leads to the whole house dieting or cutting back on things like snacks in the house, dining out or having lots of high carb/fat meals. In order for the 'dieter' to be successful, the spouse needs to be supportive and not resist some obvious changes that will occur. 2) spouse needs to be educated on the band both + and -. They need to understand how small your portions will be and not freak out when you eat 1/4 of a chicken and are full. Or that you may take longer to eat your tiny portion than the house uses to eat their second plate. It means no rushing when it comes to dining! Also, understanding that some foods will become no/no foods because they are too difficult to pass which may mean less of that food in meal preparation. Lastly, knowing what complications (like slips, erosion etc) and what causes it will put the seriousness of the band rules into context so your spouse does not only not sabotage you but keeps you accountable. 3) The ick factor. There is no way around it but as you go through your journey to finding green, you are going to get stuck at some point. This is such a gross experience. Resulting in regurgitation, sliming etc. You may end up leaving for the bathroom after a meal because you got stuck, and sometimes you just make it the nearest sink. Yes, gross. But please prepare your wife so she doesn't join you with her own regurg episode. Unfortunately this can happen at unopportune times, think in the car or whilst talking to someone at a party etc. Always have a backup plan (from having a spare cup in the car, to sitting near bathrooms or just knowing where the nearest bathroom is for that matter). 4) Postop is always fun. You will be nothing more than a baby. You'll be nauseaus, in pain ,hungry, irritable all of it. The worse lasts for about a week but hunger etc can stay until you are on full solids (week 4ish). Prepare her for a less than fun side of you 5) Than there's other issues like jealousy. Some couples have real issues with this and it just comes down to how secure your marriage and your wife is. As you get slimmer you may radiate more confidence, you may get more lady attention etc. Be certain to balance this. As great as it feels, it may not make her feel so great. Make it all about her, buy her some naughty man lingerie lol to reward her for your 10 lbs lost etc. Just remind her you are doing this for her and that you hope she likes what she sees. Umm...that should wrap it up for now

This is a great example of how we abuse our bands. Who cares if you are green if you sabotage your band and it needs to be removed. Vomitting, especially excessive vomiting requires an unfill. Your increased heartburn is indeed one of the symptoms of a slip. Get to the doctor

Hi 5 Great work